Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Nanotechnology Research Leads To Car Powered By Its Own Body Panels

A car powered by its own body panels could soon be driving on our roads after a breakthrough in nanotechnology research. Researchers have developed lightweight “supercapacitors” that can be combined with regular batteries to dramatically boost the power of an electric car.


The discovery was made by Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Jinzhang Liu, Professor Nunzio Motta and PhD researcher Marco Notarianni, from Queensland University of Technology’s Science and Engineering Faculty – Institute for Future Environments, and PhD researcher Francesca Mirri and Professor Matteo Pasquali, from Rice University in Houston, in the United States.


The supercapacitors – a “sandwich” of electrolyte between two all-carbon electrodes – were made into a thin and extremely strong film with a high power density.


The film could be embedded in a car’s body panels, roof, doors, bonnet and floor – storing enough energy to turbocharge an electric car’s battery in just a few minutes.


The findings, published in the Journal of Power Sources and the Nanotechnology journal, mean a car partly powered by its own body panels could be a reality within five years, Mr Notarianni said.


“Vehicles need an extra energy spurt for acceleration, and this is where supercapacitors come in. They hold a limited amount of charge, but they are able to deliver it very quickly, making them the perfect complement to mass-storage batteries,” he said.


“Supercapacitors offer a high power output in a short time, meaning a faster acceleration rate of the car and a charging time of just a few minutes, compared to several hours for a standard electric car battery.”


Dr Liu said currently the “energy density” of a supercapacitor is lower than a standard lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery, but its “high power density”, or ability to release power in a short time, is “far beyond” a conventional battery.


“Supercapacitors are presently combined with standard Li-Ion batteries to power electric cars, with a substantial weight reduction and increase in performance,” he said.


“In the future, it is hoped the supercapacitor will be developed to store more energy than a Li-Ion battery while retaining the ability to release its energy up to 10 times faster – meaning the car could be entirely powered by the supercapacitors in its body panels.


“After one full charge this car should be able to run up to 500km – similar to a petrol-powered car and more than double the current limit of an electric car.”


Dr Liu said the technology would also potentially be used for rapid charges of other battery-powered devices.

“For example, by putting the film on the back of a smart phone to charge it extremely quickly,” he said.


The discovery may be a game-changer for the automotive industry, with significant impacts on financial, as well as environmental, factors.


“We are using cheap carbon materials to make supercapacitors and the price of industry scale production will be low,” Professor Motta said.


“The price of Li-Ion batteries cannot decrease a lot because the price of Lithium remains high. This technique does not rely on metals and other toxic materials either, so it is environmentally friendly if it needs to be disposed of.”


Learn more about nanotechnology market research and publications that provide informed perspective and relevant analysis of emergent technologies.


 



Nanotechnology Research Leads To Car Powered By Its Own Body Panels

Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Market Worth $3,923.6 Million by 2020

According to a new market research report “Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Market Product, Technology, Application and Geography – Forecasts & Analysis to 2020“, the global RTLS Market was valued at $720.5 Million in 2014 and is expected to reach $3,923.6 Million by 2020, at an estimated CAGR of 33.03% between 2015 and 2020. The healthcare sector constituted the largest application for the RTLS Market in 2014 and is expected to continue to grow at a significant rate because of increasing applications in the healthcare segment, especially the old age care segment. Industrial manufacturing, government and defense, process industries, and transportation and logistics sectors are the next major applications of RTLS solutions and are expected to grow at a considerable rate due to the increasing adoption of RTLS solutions in the same.



The RTLS Market players have been focusing on the innovations in terms of technological advancements to cater to the specific needs of enterprises in tracking and monitoring the precise location of assets or personnel. UWB and ZigBee based RTLS technologies have been the emerging technologies in the RTLS Market, which provide high accuracy and precise location of objects in shorter locations compared to any other RTLS technology. The market for these technologies is expected to grow at a higher CAGR in the forecast period than others because of the increasing adoption of the RTLS solutions based on these technologies. Furthermore, these technologies have been able to overcome the difficulties faced by the other technologies in tracking objects in harder mediums such as concrete wall or other substances. However, Wi-Fi and RFID technologies are expected to account for a major market share during the forecast period, due to their lesser cost compared to UWB and ZigBee technologies.


The Americas and Europe were the largest markets for the RTLS technology in 2014. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region, followed by RoW which is also among the major regions that plays a significant role in the growth of the RTLS market. The growth of the RTLS Market in the Americas was largely driven by the U.S., which accounted for 74.7% of the total Americas RTLS Market in 2014. The Asia-Pacific market for RTLS is expected to be driven by its key markets such as Japan, Australia, China,Malaysia, and Singapore. The industrial manufacturing and retail sector along with, transportation and logistics is likely to provide a huge growth opportunity for RTLS solutions in these regions. The market would also be fuelled by the increase in focus of the major global RTLS vendors to expand their product and service offerings in the Asia-Pacific region as this region is expected to witness a higher growth in terms of the adoption of RTLS solutions and market value.


The report describes market dynamics that include the key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities with respect to the RTLS Market and forecasts the market till 2020. This global report provides a detailed view of the RTLS market across products, technologies, applications, and geographies. The report also profiles the prominent players in the RTLS market along with their key growth strategies. The competitive landscape of the market analyses a large number of players with their market share. The RTLS Market is witnessing numerous collaborations and partnerships across the value chain, to cater to various industries in different geographies.


The major companies in the global RTLS Market that have been included in this report are Zebra Technologies Corporation (U.S.), AeroScout, Inc. (U.S.), Savi Technology, Inc. (U.S.), TeleTracking Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Ubisense Group Plc (U.K.), Ekahau, Inc. (U.S.), Identec Group AG (Liechtenstein), CenTrak, Inc. (U.S.), Awarepoint Corporation (U.S.), and Versus Technology, Inc. (U.S.), and others.


Details of the new RTLS market report, table of contents and ordering information can be found  on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report:  Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Market Product, Technology, Application and Geography – Forecasts & Analysis to 2020.


 



Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Market Worth $3,923.6 Million by 2020

Monday, September 28, 2015

Microfluidics Market worth $3.5 Billion by 2018

The “Microfluidics Market Materials (Polymers, Silicon, Glass), Pharmaceuticals (Microreactors, Toxicity Screening, Lab on Chip, Proteomic & Genomic Analysis) Drug Delivery Devices (Microneedles, Micropumps), IVD (POC) – Global Trends & Forecast to 2018” analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World.


This report studies the global microfluidics market over the forecast period of 2013 to 2018. The global microfluidics market is valued at $1.59 billion in 2013 and is poised to reach $3.57 billion by 2018, at a CAGR of 17.6%.


The microfluidics market is categorized based on materials, products, and applications. The polymers market (in the materials segment) and in-vitro diagnostics market (in the products segment) are considered as potential market segments. The rising demand for POC diagnostic devices, quick return on investments provided by microfluidic devices which helps in cost reduction, and miniaturization of microfluidic chips are the major drivers for this market. The polymers market commands the largest share of the microfluidics materials market in 2013 and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of more than 20% during the study period. The growth in the adoption rate of polymers by manufacturers, which is driven by favorable properties of polymers such as enhanced mechanical strength, optical transparency, chemical stability, biocompatibility, reduced costs, enhanced profit margins, and extended applications, is the major driver for this market.


The in-vitro diagnostics segment of the microfluidic products market commands the largest share and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the next five years. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the increased adoption of microfluidics in IVD by major diagnostic companies such as Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland), Becton Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), and Cepheid (U.S.). The various advantages offered by microfluidics are reduced reagent consumption, quick analysis, and enhanced accuracy of test results. The microfluidics clinical diagnostics market within the IVD segment is estimated to witness the strongest growth from 2013 to 2018. Enhanced applications in diagnostics such as microfluidic flow cytometry and cell surface markers are driving the growth of this market.


The drug delivery devices market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the study period. The increasing use of microneedles and micropumps driven by the enhanced efficacy of drug delivery are the significant drivers of the market growth. Micro pumps offer various advantages such as low sample consumption, which leads to cost reduction. This is one of the major factors driving the growth of this market. The micropumps market within the drug delivery devices segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR from 2013 to 2018.


The Point-of-Care diagnostics applications segment accounts for the largest share of the microfluidics applications market in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 20% during the study period. A number of factors such as the growing demand for carrying out medical tests at or near the site of patient care in hospitals or at home, low consumption of samples and reagents, miniaturization of devices, and faster time of analysis are driving the growth of the POC diagnostics market.


North America accounts for the largest share of the global microfluidics market in 2013. However, the Asian region is expected to grow at a higher CAGR in the forecast period. A number of factors such as lower labor and raw material costs, and growth in investments due to favorable economic conditions (especially in China and India) are responsible for the high growth of the microfluidics market in Asia.


Major players in the microfluidics market include Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Agilent Technologies (U.S.), Caliper Life Sciences (PerkinElmer) (U.S.), Cepheid (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Life Technologies Corporation (U.S.), and Roche Diagnostics (Germany). A majority of companies in the microfluidics market are from the U.S.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report:  Microfluidics Market By Materials, Pharmaceuticals, Drug Delivery Devices, IVD – Global Trends & Forecast to 2018.



Microfluidics Market worth $3.5 Billion by 2018

Global Precious Metals Market is Projected to Reach $323.2 Billion by 2019

Precious metals are increasingly making a mark in a wide range of applications ranging from electronics, autocatalysts to photography. According to a new report, Precious Metals: Global Markets,  the global precious metals market totaled $217.1 billion in 2013. This should reach $323.2 billion by 2019, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% between 2013 and 2019.



The oldest and the most established application segment for this industry is jewelry. However, several other applications, mainly technological applications, are gaining a share of the market.


Several applications for gold, silver, platinum and palladium are propelling markets such as automotive, industrial and other niche areas, where the metal actually performs chemical and metallurgical functions other than aesthetics.


The main impact has been on gold, which went from a $236.9 billion market in 2012 to a $170.4 billion market in 2013, for a drop of 28%. Silver declined 21.7%, from a market size of $32.7 billion in 2012 to $25.6 billion in 2013. Platinum group metals (PGM) was the only segment of the market that retained its market size with the value increasing slightly from $20.4 billion in 2012 to $21.1 billion in 2013, for a growth of 3.5%.


Over the past decade, gold prices rose, until 2012. Prices declined dramatically in 2013 but in 2014 are stabilizing. The recent turmoil in prices has been harsh on the industry, with several miners and processors feeling the financial pressures in the last two years.


Gold market is projected to grow back to $252 billion for a CAGR of 6.7% in the 2013 to 2019 period. The silver market is projected to grow a bit faster, at a projected CAGR of 8.8% to reach $42.5 billion from the current $25.6 billion.


precious metals market

Precious Metals: Global Markets


Precious Metals: Global Markets analyzes the current market scenario, the growth in the past few years, potential future gain and the changes taking place in the precious metals marketplace.



Global Precious Metals Market is Projected to Reach $323.2 Billion by 2019

Friday, September 25, 2015

New Electronics Assembly Standards IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F Revisions Cover More Advanced Technologies

Electronics Assembly Standards IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 Updated ‘F’ Revisions Cover More Advanced Technologies


 IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® has released the F revisions of two of the industry’s most widely used standards,  IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies, and IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronics Assemblies. The documents have been updated to include technical advances in solder on plastic surface mount (SMT) components, new criteria for P-style and solder-charged Butt/I SMT terminations, a change to void criteria for BGAs, and enhancements to the language within the documents to provide ease of use and clarity. New photos facilitate further understanding.


The revision process involved dedicated volunteers from electronics companies in the Americas, Europe and Asia. With the mantra, “in data we trust,” IPC committee members focused major changes in areas such as the shrinking sizes of plastic packages that affect solder touching component bodies.


Dispelling past concerns that solder could not touch plastic components for fear of future failure, Teresa Rowe, IPC director of assembly technology, said “We [committee] didn’t find significant occurrences of failures when solder touched the plastic bodies.” Rowe explains that there was much discussion on this topic and expects that as research in this area continues, the committee will consider it in future revisions.


The chapter on conformal coatings also underwent significant changes. “We revised the way we look at conformal coatings, providing new information on coating thickness,” Rowe said. “We also looked at bubbles, voids and transparency, expanding our criterion for acceptance.”


The standards also cover Class 2 plated-through hole vertical solder fill requirements and Class 2 flux activity criteria.


IPC A-610

IPC A-610


Often used as companion documents, IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F each has a unique purpose. Whereas IPC J-STD-001 is a material and process requirements document and is critical for use during manufacturing, IPC-A-610 is a post-assembly acceptance standard.


Translations of the F revisions and training programs based on the revised standards will be released in the coming months. For more information on IPC J-STD-001F, visit www.ipc.org/001; for more information on IPC-A-610F, visitwww.ipc.org/610


Details of the new IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F standards, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site: IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F.



New Electronics Assembly Standards IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F Revisions Cover More Advanced Technologies

Identifying Emerging and Disruptive Technologies - 2015 Roadmap

The iNEMI Roadmap has become recognized as an important tool for defining the “state of the art” in the electronics industry as well as identifying emerging and disruptive technologies.  It also includes keys to developing future iNEMI projects and setting industry R&D priorities over the next 10 years.


The 2015 Roadmap was developed by five Product Emulator Groups (PEGs) and 19 Technology Working Groups (TWGs). There is one additional chapter on Test, developed in 2013, also included.  The PEGs and TWGs are defined below. The TWGs responded to the inputs and requirements outlined by representatives of OEMs in the five Product Emulator Groups (PEGs). These groups included more than 500 direct participants from over 280 private corporations, consortia, government agencies, and universities in 20 countries.


Five Product Emulators for the 2015 Roadmap














Industry Sector Product Characteristics
AutomotiveProducts that must operate in an automotive environment
Consumer/Office SystemsDriven by the need for maximum performance over a wide range of cost targets
High-End SystemsProducts that serve the high-performance computing, server, data storage, networking, datacom and telecom markets
MedicalProducts that must be highly reliable and, in some cases, support life-critical applications
Portable/WirelessProduced in high volumes, cost is the primary driver; hand-held, battery powered products are also driven by size and weight reduction

 


Identifying Emerging and Disruptive Technologies


Advanced Technology RoadmapThe 2015 iNWEMI Roadmap  is now on sale. As the only industry roadmap that looks at the entire supply chain, the iNEMI Roadmap delivers in-depth information about the challenges and opportunities facing the electronics manufacturing industry over the next 10 years. It also provides direction regarding the technologies required to meet the ever-evolving needs of this rapidly diversifying and growing industry.


 



Identifying Emerging and Disruptive Technologies - 2015 Roadmap

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

HDD & SSD Industry Market Analysis And Processing Trends

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD) Industry: Market Analysis And Processing Trends“.


Hard-disk drives have been the default storage component in desktop and laptop PCs for decades. As a result, the term “hard drive” is now the common descriptor for all storage hardware. Although modern hard-disk drives are far more advanced and higher-performing than their counterparts from yesteryear, on many levels their basic underlying technology remains unchanged. All hard-disk drives consist of quickly rotating magnetic platters paired with read/write heads that travel over the platters’ surfaces to retrieve or record data.


On many levels, solid-state drives are similar to hard drives. They usually connect to a system by way of the SATA interface (though PCI Express-based drives are also available for ultrahigh-performance applications), and they store files just as any other drive does. SSDs, however, eschew the magnetic platters and read/write heads of hard-disk drives in favor of nonvolatile NAND flash memory, so no mechanical parts or magnetic bits are involved.


Key criteria that differentiate HDDs and SSDs are:


Form factor


Without any moving parts, SSD products are the thinnest of the available storage options. They’re especially good for thin and light PCs and complex, industrial designs. For standard notebooks, SSDs are available in 5mm and 7mm heights. By comparison, HDDs are available in standard 7mm and 9.5mm designs. SSHDs debuted at 9mm, will ship at 7mm soon, and 5mm designs have been announced for shipment in 2013.


Capacity


HDDs are the workhorses when it comes to sheer capacity and how much data can be stored. SSHD technology also offers maximum capacity points at affordable price points while SSDs are only affordable at lower capacities. High-capacity SSDs are extremely expensive.


Speed


SSDs provide peak performance for booting and high read/write performance to supporting computing that requires enhanced multitasking capabilities. On the other hand, an SSHD can provide near SSD performance for booting, launching, and loading data. HDDs usually provide ample performance for the majority of PC platforms shipping today.


Price


At a system level, low-capacity SSDs can be affordable in the 32GB to 64GB range. But high-capacity SSDs are very expensive, especially when measured by cost per gigabyte. HDDs provide the lowest cost per gigabyte. SSHDs provide a cost per gigabyte that’s just slightly higher than HDDs.


Battery life


In general, storage will not impact battery life in a laptop computer by more than about 10%. Processor power and LCD really run down the battery. However, SSD is the most power-efficient, and SSHD is a close second because it can spin down more frequently than an HDD.


Reliability


Failure rates on SSD, HDD, and SSHD technologies have very similar ratings. SSHD has benefits because it uses both the SSD and HDD portions more efficiently than if they were separate.


Durability


SSDs are viewed as more durable simply because of their solid state design. Without moving parts, they can withstand higher extremes of shock, drop, and temperature.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD) Industry: Market Analysis And Processing Trends.


SSD Industry Market Analysis  


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Chapter 1 The Disk Drive Market Infrastructure


Chapter 2 The Hard Disk Drive Industry


2.1 Hard Disk Drive Trends 2-1

2.2 Hard Disk Form Factors 2-10

2.3 Hard Disk Drive Market Analysis 2-14

2.3.1 Desktop PCs 2-23

2.3.2 Portable PCs 2-23

2.3.3 Enterprise 2-26

2.3.4 Consumer Electronics 2-26

2.4 Competitive Structure 2-34

2.4.1 HDD Market Share 2-34


Chapter 3 The Solid State Drive Industry


3.1 Solid-State Drives (SSD) Trends 3-1

3.2 Solid-State Drives Market Analysis 3-2

3.2.1 Client SSD Trends and Forecast 3-8

3.2.2 Enterprise SSD Trends and Forecast 3-15

3.2.3 Hybrid Hard Drives (HHD) Forecast 3-20

3.3 3D NAND Forecast 3-23

3.3.1 Comparison of 3D-NAND Structures 3-25

3.4 SSD Capacity Forecast 3-29


Chapter 4 Recording Heads


4.1 Thin Film Read/Write Heads 4-1

4.1.1 Thin Film (TF) Heads 4-2

4.1.2 Magnetoresistive (MR/AMR) Heads 4-2

4.1.3 Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) Heads 4-4

4.1.4 Colossal Magnetoresistive (CMR) Heads 4-7

4.1.5 Current-Perpendicular-To-Place (CPP) Heads 4-8

4.1.6 Ballistic Magnetoresistance (BMR) Heads 4-8

4.2 Trends 4-10

4.3 Recording Head Market Forecast 4-18


Chapter 5 Processing Trends And Markets


5.1 Head Processing 5-1

5.1.1 Head Fabrication – CMP, Deposition, Lithography 5-6

5.1.1.1 CMP Challenges 5-11

–  Ceria Slurry For Glass Disk Market 5-17

– Oxide Slurry For Metal Disk Market 5-22

– Oxide Slurry For Thin Film Head Market 5-25

5.1.1.2 Lithography Challenges 5-28

5.2 Patterned Magnetic Media 5-31

5.2.1 Conventional Media 5-32

5.2.2 Patterned Media 5-34

5.3 Market Analysis Of Discrete Track Media 5-44

5.3.1 The Perpendicular Recording Movement 5-44

5.3.2 Cost of Ownership (CoO) Analysis 5-59

5.4 NAND Processing 5-65

5.4.1 2D NAND Processing 5-67

5.4.2 3D NAND Processing 5-73

5.4.2.1 Etch Challenges and Market Forecast 5-80

5.4.2.2 Deposition Challenges and Market Forecast 5-81

5.5 3D ReRAM Challenges 5-82


Chapter 3 The Media Market


3.1 Industry Trends 3-1

3.2 Media Profiles 3-5

3.3 Media Market Supplier Shares 3-7


Chapter 4 The Substrate Market


4.1 Platter Substrate Materials 4-1

4.1.1 Aluminum Disks 4-4

4.1.2 Glass Disks 4-6

4.2 Substrate Market 4-11

4.3 Substrate Suppliers 4-16

4.4 Glass Substrate Supplier Shares 4-21


 



HDD & SSD Industry Market Analysis And Processing Trends

5G Wireless Ecosystem Research and Trial Investments to Reach $5 Billion by 2020

While LTE and LTE-Advanced deployments are still underway, wireless carriers and vendors have already embarked on R&D initiatives to develop so-called “5G” technology, with a vision of commercialization by 2020.


5G is essentially a revolutionary paradigm shift in wireless networking to support the throughput, latency, and scalability requirements of future use cases such as extreme bandwidth augmented reality applications and connectivity management for billions of M2M (Machine to Machine) devices.


Although 5G is yet to be standardized, some of the collectively accepted attributes of the technology include new air interface transmission schemes, new spectrum bands, spectrum aggregation, Massive MIMO, beamforming, D2D (Device to Device) communications and self-backhauling, among others.


Key findings:


  • Driven by regional, national government, wireless carrier and vendor initiatives, we expect 5G Wireless Ecosystem R&D and trial investments will account for nearly $5 Billion by 2020, following a CAGR of nearly 40% over the next 5 years

  • Nearly 70% of these investments will target large scale commercial trial networks in Japan, South Korea and other early pioneering countries

  • Despite a lack of standardization, vendors are aggressively investing in 5G development efforts with a principal focus on new transmission schemes, antenna technologies, and higher frequency bands

  • 5G networks are expected to utilize a variety of spectrum bands, ranging from established cellular bands to millimeter wave frequencies

  • 5G standardization activities are expected to commence between 2015 and 2016

5G Wireless ecosystem research report covers the following topics:


  • 5G requirements, use cases & vertical market applications

  • 5G market drivers and barriers

  • Air interface & antenna technologies: Massive MIMO, waveforms, phased array antennas & beamforming

  • Spectrum technologies: Cognitive radio, spectrum sensing, aggregation & LSA (Licensed Shared Access)

  • D2D communications & self-backhauling networks

  • Complimentary technologies for 5G: NFV (Network Functions Virtualization), SDN (Software Defined Networking), HetNet (Heterogeneous Networking), C-RAN (Cloud RAN), drones & satellites

  • Spectrum options for 5G

  • Standardization & research initiatives

  • Competitive assessment of vendor strategies & commitments to 5G

  • 5G investment and subscription forecasts from 2015 till 2025

The “5G Wireless Ecosystem: 2015 – 2025 – Technologies, Applications, Verticals, Strategies & Forecasts” report presents an in-depth assessment of the emerging 5G ecosystem including key market drivers, challenges, enabling technologies, use cases, vertical market applications, spectrum bands, wireless carrier deployment commitments and vendor strategies. The report also presents forecasts for both 5G investments and subscriptions.


5G Wireless Ecosystem ResearchThe report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report. Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: “5G Wireless Ecosystem: 2015 – 2025 – Technologies, Applications, Verticals, Strategies & Forecasts”.


 


 



5G Wireless Ecosystem Research and Trial Investments to Reach $5 Billion by 2020

Monday, September 21, 2015

Thin Film and Printed Battery (TFB) Market Opportunities

Thin, Flexible and Printed Battery Market Will Increase To Over $300m By 2024


Form factor is becoming a major driver shaping innovation and transforming the energy storage industry globally. This is fueled by the emergence of new market categories such as wearable electronic devices and Internet of Things, which demand thinness and flexibility. These new market categories will help the market for thin and flexible batteries reach $300 million in 2024.


Thin, flexible or printed batteries have commercially existed for more than ten years. Traditionally, the micro-power thin and printed batteries were used in skin patches, RFID tags and smart cards. Today, however, the composition of the target market is undergoing drastic change driven by the emergence of new addressable market categories. This trend has enticed many large players to enter the foray, starting to transform a business landscape that was once populated predominantly by small firms.


The change in target markets is inevitably driving change in the technology landscape too. This means that the market in 2024 will look vastly different from that in 2014, both on the technology and market level. Technology and markets that are major contributes today will have a small role to play, while new segments and technology will grow to dominate this sector.


Printed-BatteriesFor more details of the new report on flexible and printed battery market, visit: Flexible, Printed and Thin Film Batteries 2015-2025: Technologies, Forecasts, Players.


 



Thin Film and Printed Battery (TFB) Market Opportunities

New Electronics Assembly Standards IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F Revisions Cover More Advanced Technologies

Electronics Assembly Standards IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 Updated ‘F’ Revisions Cover More Advanced Technologies


 IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® has released the F revisions of two of the industry’s most widely used standards,  IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies, and IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronics Assemblies. The documents have been updated to include technical advances in solder on plastic surface mount (SMT) components, new criteria for P-style and solder-charged Butt/I SMT terminations, a change to void criteria for BGAs, and enhancements to the language within the documents to provide ease of use and clarity. New photos facilitate further understanding.


The revision process involved dedicated volunteers from electronics companies in the Americas, Europe and Asia. With the mantra, “in data we trust,” IPC committee members focused major changes in areas such as the shrinking sizes of plastic packages that affect solder touching component bodies.


Dispelling past concerns that solder could not touch plastic components for fear of future failure, Teresa Rowe, IPC director of assembly technology, said “We [committee] didn’t find significant occurrences of failures when solder touched the plastic bodies.” Rowe explains that there was much discussion on this topic and expects that as research in this area continues, the committee will consider it in future revisions.


The chapter on conformal coatings also underwent significant changes. “We revised the way we look at conformal coatings, providing new information on coating thickness,” Rowe said. “We also looked at bubbles, voids and transparency, expanding our criterion for acceptance.”


The standards also cover Class 2 plated-through hole vertical solder fill requirements and Class 2 flux activity criteria.


IPC A-610

IPC A-610


Often used as companion documents, IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F each has a unique purpose. Whereas IPC J-STD-001 is a material and process requirements document and is critical for use during manufacturing, IPC-A-610 is a post-assembly acceptance standard.


Translations of the F revisions and training programs based on the revised standards will be released in the coming months. For more information on IPC J-STD-001F, visit www.ipc.org/001; for more information on IPC-A-610F, visitwww.ipc.org/610


Details of the new IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F standards, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site: IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F.



New Electronics Assembly Standards IPC J-STD-001F and IPC-A-610F Revisions Cover More Advanced Technologies

Friday, September 18, 2015

Global Market for Situation Awareness Systems

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Situation Awareness System – Global Strategic Business Report”. This report provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, opportunities, challenges and issues in addition to current coverage on company information and latest news and events including strategic corporate developments, and product innovations. The report helps identify the biggest opportunities in this space and offers accurate latent demand forecasting that empowers quantitative decision making among existing market players and new entrants.


The global market for Situation Awareness System is projected to reach US$135 billion by 2020, driven by the need for efficient management of security threats against a backdrop of continuous rise in security infringements the world over. Technology innovations and growing awareness over the benefits offered by Situation Awareness System are spurring adoption in plant automation, homeland security, aviation, maritime security, construction, cyber security, healthcare and automotive sectors. The United States represents the largest market worldwide, followed by Europe. Asia-Pacific is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 10.9% over the analysis period.


Situation Awareness Systems Market Trends & Drivers:


  • Need to Protect Critical Government Infrastructure Brings Situation Awareness System Into the Spotlight

  • Demand for Next-Generation Data Security Solutions Drives Market Growth

  • Technology Developments Spearhead Growth in the Market

  • Wireless Situational Awareness Systems: A Promising Technology in the Making (LSA): The Next Level of Innovation

  • Smart Cities to Fuel Large-Scale Adoption of Situation Awareness Solutions

The report profiles 77 companies including many key and niche players such as –


Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

BAE Systems

Barco N.V

CNL Software

D3 Security Management Systems


Situation Awareness SystemsDetails of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View Report Contents:Situation Awareness System – Global Strategic Business Report“.


 



Global Market for Situation Awareness Systems

The East European Electronics Industry Report

In the context of the global electronics industry East Europe, at US$57.3 billion, accounted for 3% of electronics output in 2014 and held a 4.5% share of the global market at US$81.2 billion. To the east Russia and the Ukraine accounted for 12 % and 34% of production and the market, respectively in 2014. The current conflict in the region has impacted both production and the market and is expected to continue to subdue demand over the short-term. In the longer-term and assuming the current situation is resolved the market will gradually rebound and in turn lead to an upturn in foreign investment.


East European Electronics

East European Electronics Production 2010-2015 (excludes Russia & Ukraine). Source: RER, Yearbook of World Electronics Data Volume 4 2015/2016 East Europe & World.


 


The electronics industry in the remainder of Eastern Europe accounted for 88% of electronics production and 66% of the market in 2014. The region’s position as an emerging market, the close proximity to Western Europe and lower manufacturing costs has resulted in significant foreign investment by some of the world’s leading electronics groups, with the focus on computing, communications and consumer electronics. Production within the core 3C segment is focused on the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. In 2014, the share of 3C accounted for of overall production ranged from 60% in Hungary, to 81% in the Czech Republic, 83% in Slovakia and 84% in Poland.


However, with volume manufacturing in the hands of a relatively few companies the region has been vulnerable to decisions made by individual companies as they look to align production to demand and utilise their global manufacturing operations to reduce costs. In the case of TV manufacturing production has fallen from a peak of 41.0 million in 2010 to a forecasted 32.1 million in 2015.


The production of computer related equipment peaked in 2010 and although output edged up in 2014 on the back of stronger demand output is expected to have declined by 7.6% between 2010 and 2015. The decline in the communications segment has been more pronounced primarily due to the sharp decline in the production of mobile phones. Between 2010 and 2015, output has declined by 32.2%.


The decline in 3C production will be partially offset by an increase in output of industrial and high-end communications equipment. This will be led by foreign investment as companies look to move production from higher cost West European locations or in the case of non-European companies look to establish a low-cost manufacturing base to serve the European market.


Details of the East European Electronics Industry Report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report: Yearbook of World Electronics Data Volume 4 2015/2016 East Europe & World.



The East European Electronics Industry Report

Microfluidics Market worth $3.5 Billion by 2018

The “Microfluidics Market Materials (Polymers, Silicon, Glass), Pharmaceuticals (Microreactors, Toxicity Screening, Lab on Chip, Proteomic & Genomic Analysis) Drug Delivery Devices (Microneedles, Micropumps), IVD (POC) – Global Trends & Forecast to 2018” analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World.


This report studies the global microfluidics market over the forecast period of 2013 to 2018. The global microfluidics market is valued at $1.59 billion in 2013 and is poised to reach $3.57 billion by 2018, at a CAGR of 17.6%.


The microfluidics market is categorized based on materials, products, and applications. The polymers market (in the materials segment) and in-vitro diagnostics market (in the products segment) are considered as potential market segments. The rising demand for POC diagnostic devices, quick return on investments provided by microfluidic devices which helps in cost reduction, and miniaturization of microfluidic chips are the major drivers for this market. The polymers market commands the largest share of the microfluidics materials market in 2013 and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of more than 20% during the study period. The growth in the adoption rate of polymers by manufacturers, which is driven by favorable properties of polymers such as enhanced mechanical strength, optical transparency, chemical stability, biocompatibility, reduced costs, enhanced profit margins, and extended applications, is the major driver for this market.


The in-vitro diagnostics segment of the microfluidic products market commands the largest share and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the next five years. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the increased adoption of microfluidics in IVD by major diagnostic companies such as Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland), Becton Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), and Cepheid (U.S.). The various advantages offered by microfluidics are reduced reagent consumption, quick analysis, and enhanced accuracy of test results. The microfluidics clinical diagnostics market within the IVD segment is estimated to witness the strongest growth from 2013 to 2018. Enhanced applications in diagnostics such as microfluidic flow cytometry and cell surface markers are driving the growth of this market.


The drug delivery devices market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the study period. The increasing use of microneedles and micropumps driven by the enhanced efficacy of drug delivery are the significant drivers of the market growth. Micro pumps offer various advantages such as low sample consumption, which leads to cost reduction. This is one of the major factors driving the growth of this market. The micropumps market within the drug delivery devices segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR from 2013 to 2018.


The Point-of-Care diagnostics applications segment accounts for the largest share of the microfluidics applications market in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 20% during the study period. A number of factors such as the growing demand for carrying out medical tests at or near the site of patient care in hospitals or at home, low consumption of samples and reagents, miniaturization of devices, and faster time of analysis are driving the growth of the POC diagnostics market.


North America accounts for the largest share of the global microfluidics market in 2013. However, the Asian region is expected to grow at a higher CAGR in the forecast period. A number of factors such as lower labor and raw material costs, and growth in investments due to favorable economic conditions (especially in China and India) are responsible for the high growth of the microfluidics market in Asia.


Major players in the microfluidics market include Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Agilent Technologies (U.S.), Caliper Life Sciences (PerkinElmer) (U.S.), Cepheid (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Life Technologies Corporation (U.S.), and Roche Diagnostics (Germany). A majority of companies in the microfluidics market are from the U.S.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report:  Microfluidics Market By Materials, Pharmaceuticals, Drug Delivery Devices, IVD – Global Trends & Forecast to 2018.



Microfluidics Market worth $3.5 Billion by 2018

Growing Security Concerns & Increasing Construction Activity Drive the Global Electronic Security Systems Market

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the the release of a comprehensive global report on Electronic Security Systems markets. Global market for Electronic Security Systems is forecast to reach US$98.2 billion by 2020 driven by growing safety and security concerns across the globe and rising construction activity. Electronic Security relates to the use of technology and electronic devices for ensuring safety and security of people, property, physical assets and digital infrastructure, by tracking and preventing their unauthorized access.


Rising incidence of security infringements such as terrorist attacks, vandalism, and campus violence is brining electronic security into the spotlight as an integral part of the overall safety and security arrangements made by governments and commercial establishments across the globe. Electronic security systems such as, alarms, electronic access controls systems and CCTV/Video surveillance systems are witnessing steady growth. Although, the government sector continues to remain the largest end-use market for electronic security systems, future growth is forecast to come from increasing deployments in commercial establishments and households, due to heightened perceived threat of criminal activity and terrorism.


Given that majority of electronic security system installations, including alarms, electronic access control systems (EACS) and CCTV/surveillance equipment are carried out at residential, commercial, and office buildings, new building constructions represents a major growth driver in the market. Electronic security system installations have become primary components of building security plans for new housing constructions, commercial buildings such as malls, retail outlets, entertainment centers, new office buildings, government departments, banking and finance, IT and other private offices. While alarms are automatic buy for most new housing constructions, electronic access control system installations such as card-based or biometric access control systems and CCTV/Video surveillance are regular safety systems used in new commercial or office establishments. Construction of new public infrastructure facilities also generates demand for EACS and CCTV/video surveillance systems. Growing construction spends world over therefore augurs well for the future of this market.


The role of technology innovation in driving opportunities in the market cannot be undermined. Given consumers’ appetite for technologically superior, yet cost effective products, advanced security systems such as digital CCTV, IP based video surveillance, remote-monitoring systems, and IP based access control systems, among others, are poised to witness strong growth. Use of advanced cameras with high-mega pixel HD resolution and lowlight capabilities, mobile video recorders and remote display for CCTV/Video Surveillance, and contactless smart cards for access control, is increasing.


As stated by the new market research report on Electronic Security Systems, Asia-Pacific represents the largest and the fastest growing market worldwide with a projected CAGR of 9.5% over the analysis period. Growth in the region is led by stringent safety regulations that mandate installation of advanced security solutions in public spaces such as retail outlets, malls, multiplexes and entertainment centers; development of new urban settlements and townships; expanding commercial real-estate activity in existing urban centers; growth in consumer affluence and income; increase in business and commercial activity and subsequent increase in security spending at residential, commercial and enterprise levels.


Key players covered in the report include Allegion, ASSA ABLOY AB, Axis Communications AB, Bosch Group, Changzhou Minking Electronics Co. Ltd., Diebold Inc., DoorKing Inc., Fermax Electronica S.A.E, Global Security Solutions, Gunnebo AB, Honeywell International Inc., Huviron Co. Ltd., Identive Group Inc., Imprivata® Inc., Johnson Controls Inc., Kaba Group, Linear LLC, March Networks Corporation, NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., PAC International Ltd., Panasonic Corporation, Schneider Electric, SAFRAN Group, Secom Co. Ltd., SecuGen Corporation, Siemens AG, Sony Electronics Inc., Toshiba America Inc., Tyco International Ltd., United Technologies Corporation, Chubb Fire and Security Limited, Chubb Edwards, Verisure Holdings AB, Vido Electronic Vertriebs Gmbh, and Yoko Technology Corp., among others.


The research report titled “Electronic Security Systems: A Global Strategic Business Report”, provides a comprehensive review of market trends, growth drivers, challenges, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. Global market estimates and projections are provided in terms of dollars for major geographic markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, and Rest of Latin America), and Rest of World. Product Segments analyzed in the report include Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems, CCTV/Video Surveillance Equipment and Others.


Electronic Security systemsDetails of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View Complete Report Details: Electronic Security Systems: A Global Strategic Business Report“.


 


 



Growing Security Concerns & Increasing Construction Activity Drive the Global Electronic Security Systems Market

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Printed Electronics Equipment Sales: Companies Look to Asia

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Printing Equipment for Printed Electronics 2015-2025”.  According to this report, the printed electronics equipment and consumables supplier base consists of over 100 global organizations . The majority of these are based in Europe, followed by a roughly even share of US and Asian based companies. Within Europe itself, Germany is home to more equipment makers than other European countries.


While initially the printed, organic and flexible electronics industry was driven by significant investment and technological development from the fine chemicals industry, the equipment sector followed soon after. Those involved in screen printing and screen printing consumables have had the largest market so far in printed electronics given that the equipment is used in commercial products such as solar cells and glucose test strips.


For more emerging printed electronics processes, such as inkjet printing, specialist coating systems applied to printed electronics, gravure and flexo, the market has been smaller but quickly growing. Most of the sales of such systems have been into Europe. This has been due to a high and consistent level of funding made available from European funding sources in addition to country specific funding programs.


Printed electronics is in most European countries a relatively high prioritization category for funding. Many of the funding sources have found that one of the most useful things to kick start the industry in Europe would be to make equipment available so that people can develop, prototype, pilot and even make low quantity product without the need for them to buy their own equipment which is capital intensive and high risk as development still has to occur.


As a result, many printed electronics centers have been set up, as shown in the image below. Those in light green are in the process of being set up, darker green are more established centers. Some represent numerous centers.


Printed Electronics Equipment Sales

Source: Printing Equipment for Printed Electronics 2015-2025


 


However, through many interviews IDTechEx Research has found that the equipment demand has mostly been met for the government funded programs. Of course, outside the government funded projects companies are buying equipment but the main funding until now has come from governments. For equipment supply companies, many of whom have enjoyed a good profitable period with top line sales growth, there is now a void as European companies’ appetite for equipment lags the government funded programs.


The US equipment market has seen steady growth but until now has not been as big market as it is in Europe, due to lesser government funding. This has changed due to the recently announced $75 million funding for a printed electronics manufacturing hub, but this is one project unlike the European market which consisted of many.


Now, therefore, equipment makers are turning to Asia. There is an impending transition from equipment for development and prototyping purposes to buying equipment for higher volume manufacture. Here the equipment focus is different – it is not making state of the art transistors using printing, but doing simpler things but reliably that can be in commercial products today. For example, this includes using inkjet printers for the polymer planarization layers for barriers on OLEDs or printing the bezel edge electrodes for touch screens, often which are then patterned with a laser.


So now the wave of new printed electronics capability truly becomes applied to product, with equipment companies sending their sales people out to Asia.


This new report assesses the applications, technologies and opportunities for equipment that is enabling printed electronics including looking at the main government centers and geographic trends. It covers the different types of printing, curing/sintering and other key manufacturing equipment, providing assessment of the manufacturing requirements for different applications, growth areas, ten year forecasts for each printing method by application and detailed company assessments.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: “Printing Equipment for Printed Electronics 2015-2025“.



Printed Electronics Equipment Sales: Companies Look to Asia

Soaring Sales of Consumer Electronic Devices Drives Growth in the Consumer Batteries Market

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a comprehensive global report on Consumer Batteries markets. Global market for Consumer Batteries is projected to reach US$40.8 billion by 2020, driven by booming sales of consumer electronic devices and technology innovation in battery chemistries.


Market Research Report on Consumer Batteries


Batteries are ubiquitous energy storage devices that find application as an indispensable power source in consumer electronic products like home electronics, mobile devices, hearing aids, video game controls, cordless phones, camcorders, and cameras among others. Robust market for mobile phones and other digital consumer electronic products holds great potential for batteries. Arrival of numerous power hungry consumer electronic devices is spelling opportunities for efficient and long-lasting batteries. Demand in the market will continue to be fueled by the development of technologically advanced products, such as 3D TVs, smart remotes, tablets, and mobile phones.


Data hungry and energy-hogging consumer electronics will provide battery manufacturers with recurring sales and opportunities. Battery manufacturers are therefore focusing resources on researching and developing battery systems capable of meeting the ever growing power requirements of the digital world. Development of newer battery chemistries promises to bring in improvements in performance, reliability, durability, and efficiency. Growing need for high performance integrated battery solutions for use in rugged mobile computing platforms is additionally driving investments in R&D.


Secondary batteries, comprising Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) based batteries,ominate the market. Given their varying technological lineage, the market prospects for each of these technologies differ substantially. NiCad battery technology is weighed down by environmental concerns over cadmium toxicity in addition to facing stiff competitive threat from other advanced competing technologies. Market shares of NiCad and Ni-MH are expected to gradually decline, as adoption of Li-ion increases. Additionally, NiCd and Ni-MH are also expected to feel the heat of the arrival of new chemistries such as Nickel-zinc and Silver-zinc in the market. Large-area polymer batteries and wide prismatic batteries exhibit strong growth prospects on the back of accelerating demand for high-end IT products such as smartphones, tablet PCs and ultrabooks, which require slim, lightweight and high-capacity batteries.


Lithium-ion is the most exciting battery chemistry in the market with growth supported by growing demand for portable consumer products. The expanding base of smartphone users worldwide is expected to especially benefit the market. With “innovation” becoming a key driver of growth, manufacturers are investing heavily in the development of smaller and thinner Li-Ion batteries. In the primary batteries market, long-term growth is forecast to be led by the transition from Zinc-carbon to alkaline.


As stated by the new market research report on Consumer Batteries, Asia-Pacific represents the largest and the fastest growing market worldwide. Growth in the region is led by China. China is currently the largest producer and one of the leading consumers of Li-ion batteries globally. The United States represents the second largest market with growth supported by continuous upgrades and innovations in product design, and strong replacement demand.


Major players in the market include Battery Technologies Inc., BYD Company Ltd., Electrochem Automation Inc., Energizer Holdings Inc., FDK Corp., GP Batteries International Ltd., Hitachi Maxell Ltd., Jiangmen TWD Technology Co. Ltd., LG Chem Co. Ltd., Panasonic Corp., Sanyo Electric Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Company, Samsung SDI Co. Ltd., Sony Corp., Spectrum Brands Inc., VARTA Consumer Batteries GmbH & Co. KgaA, Tronic Technology Global Ltd., and Ultralife Batteries Inc., among others.


The research report titled “Consumer Batteries – Global Strategic Business Report”, provides a comprehensive review of market trends, growth drivers, new product introductions, and other strategic industry activities of major global players. The report provides market estimates and projections in US dollars for all major geographic markets including US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East, and Latin America (Brazil and Rest of Latin America). Product markets analyzed include Primary Batteries (Zinc Carbon, Alkaline, and Primary Lithium) and Secondary Batteries (Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion, and Other secondary batteries).


market research report on consumer batteries

Market Research Report on Consumer Batteries


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View Complete Report Details: “Consumer Batteries – Global Strategic Business Report




Soaring Sales of Consumer Electronic Devices Drives Growth in the Consumer Batteries Market

Surgical Robots -- Markets Reach $20 Billion By 2021

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Surgical Robots: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021”. The 2015 study has 553 pages, 216 tables and figures. Worldwide surgical robot markets are poised to achieve significant growth as next generation systems provide a way to improve traditional open surgery and decrease the number of ports needed for minimally invasive surgery.


Intuitive Surgical has market leadership position, advanced technology, an impressive installed base and a well trained group of surgeons able to manage the robots. Patients fare better when the surgery is done by surgical robots. The documentation of improvements in care delivery, the ability to ensure better outcomes from surgery promise that surgical robotics is a strong growth market.


Intuitive Surgical will be difficult to dislodge, its dominant position is based on technological excellence that keeps being improved and competitors have a difficult time catching up, much less improving on the Intuitive Surgical technology. Other leading competitors will emerge and the group of several surgical robotic companies will collectively have enough marketing dollars and enough marketing clout to drive replacement of all open surgery. Robotic surgery is positioned to become the standard of care.


Intuitive Surgical has achieved market saturation in colorectal surgery in the US, it will work on increasing its presence in other surgical market sectors. The leading robotic surgical companies are poised to grow through acquisition, purchasing smaller companies that have developed as specialized product and gained FDA approval. As detailed in the market research study there are a lot of those in every medical specialty and more to come.


The surgical robot market is characterized enormous variety and innovation.


Snake robots are wonderfully interesting surgical robots. Medrobotics offers a highly articulated multi-linked robot. It enables minimally-invasive procedures to replace open surgical procedures. It works for many parts of the anatomy. It works in places in the body that are difficult or previously impossible to reach. The robot-assist platform includes on-board visualization. and contains multiple open device channels to accept a variety of third party surgical and interventional instruments. The robot enables physicians to operate through non-linear circuitous paths, self-supported, and through a single-site access into the body.


The maneuverability of the robot is gained from its numerous mechanical linkages with concentric mechanisms. Each mechanism can be placed into a rigid or a limp state. By employing a patented “follow-the-leader” movement strategy with these alternating states, the robot can be directed into any shape through the relative orientations of its linkages.


A surgical robot recurring revenue model business model is essentially large one time purchase for a system complimented by replaceable or disposable instruments that cumulatively market a much larger and ongoing market. Vendors make money from the one time sale of a system and recurring revenue from sale of devices used in every operation.


Initially, a vendor sells and installs the surgical system into new customer accounts. Once systems are sold into customer accounts, the vendor generates recurring revenue as our customers use the system to perform surgery. To do surgeries, the customers need to buy and consume instruments and accessory products. Vendors also generate recurring revenue from system service.


The ability to deliver such an accurate dose of radiation means that the cancer can be eradicated in patients before the patient is administered a lethal dose of radiation. This prepresents a cure for cancer once it gets working according to the promise of the systems now in place. .


The Accuray radiation systems that address the oncology market are perhaps the most exciting technology ever offered to any market. Because the systems are able to control the dose of radiation Amount of activity in the market, many companies, FDA approvals, way for existing vendors to improve footprint in market


In the field of radiation oncology, the Accuray CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System is universally recognized as the premier radiosurgery system capable of delivering high doses of radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy anywhere in the body. As validated and proven in numerous peer-reviewed publications, the precision and accuracy of the system combines with continual image guidance and robotic mobility to deliver treatments characterized by high conformality and steep dose gradients.


The newest addition to the CyberKnife product line, the CyberKnife VSITM System, continues Accuray’s tradition of innovation. Building on a foundation of accuracy and precision in radiosurgery, the CyberKnife VSI System extends these benefits to fractionated high precision radiation therapy with Robotic IMRTTM that can be delivered anywhere in the body.


The automated process revolution in surgery and communications is being implemented via robots. Robots automation of systems is providing significant improvement in the accuracy of surgery and the repeatability of process.


According to Susan Eustis, lead author of the study, “Existing open surgery can be replaced in large part by robotic minimally invasive surgery (MIS) during the ofrecast period. Minimally invasive robotic surgery, new robotic radiation treatment, and emerging robotic surgical approaches complement existing surgery techniques. Soon, all surgery will be undertaken with at least come aspects of robotic surgery replacing or complementing open surgery.”


During a robot assisted surgical procedure, the patient-side cart is positioned next to the operating table with the electromechanical arms arranged to provide access to the initial ports selected by the surgeon. Metal tubes attached to the arms are inserted through the ports, and the cutting and visualization instruments are introduced through the tubes into the patient’s body.


The surgeon performs the procedure while sitting at a console, manipulating the instrument controls and viewing the operation through a vision system. When a surgeon needs to change an instrument the instrument is withdrawn from the surgical field using the controls at the console. This is done many times during an operation.


The companies that get an early foothold in the market have significant strategic advantage. The robotic surgical technique benefits hospitals by reducing the length of patient stays, thereby enabling better cost management. This factor is driving demand for surgery robot systems. Since robotics provide surgeons with a precise, repeatable and controlled ability to perform procedures in tight spaces, they are increasingly in demand.


The aging US population has supported demand, since the occurrence of health issues that require medical devices is higher in the elderly population. Buoyed by strong demand and sales, industry profit margins have increased considerably during the past five years.


Hospitals are adopting robotic surgical devices to improve their outcomes numbers. Hospitals are measured on outcomes, robots for surgery, when used by a trained physician are improving outcomes significantly.


Hundreds of universities worldwide have research programs in robotics and many are awarding degrees in robotics. These “roboticists” are increasingly being hired by Global 2000 organizations to link mobile robots (mobile computers) into existing IT systems.


Compared with other minimally invasive surgery approaches, robot-assisted surgery gives the surgeon better control over the surgical instruments and a better view of the surgical site. Surgeons no longer have to stand throughout the surgery and do not tire as quickly. Hand tremors are filtered out by the robot’s computer software. The surgical robot can continuously be used by rotating surgery teams.


Surgical robot device markets at $3.2 billion in 2014 are anticipated to reach $20 billion by 2021 as next generation devices, systems, and instruments are introduced to manage surgery through small ports in the body instead of large open wounds.


The complete report provides a comprehensive analysis including procedure numbers, units sold, market value, forecasts, as well as a detailed competitive market shares and analysis of major players’ success, challenges, and strategies in each segment and sub- segment. The reports cover markets for: medical specialties and sub-specialties.


Surgical Robots MarketDetails of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: Surgical Robots Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2020.



Surgical Robots -- Markets Reach $20 Billion By 2021

Monday, September 14, 2015

Global Market for Fingerprint Sensors in Mobile Devices

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Fingerprint Sensors in Smart Mobile Devices”.  Research Capsule group expects fingerprint sensors to join the cast of now ubiquitous smartphone sensors though market penetration will vary by device. With more than 10 billion smartphones and tablets expected to be shipped during the coming five years, related component volumes are expected to soar.


2014 was a watershed year for fingerprint sensors in smartphones. Apple’s iPhone 6 coupled with the company’s new mobile payment service with a touch-type fingerprint sensor is creating a wow effect among consumers. The use of biometrics for authorizing financial transactions has a futuristic appeal and an allure of improved security and convenience.


Apple’s competitors have reacted quickly to match Apple’s sudden mobile payment lead. Samsung, for example, recently unveiled its own payment service coupled with a touch fingerprint sensor for authentication. It was an expected move, and the company’s use of a magnetic-stripe compatible technology could give Samsung the volume lead. Now other smart device vendors are expected to introduce a similar set of features in their next iteration of flagship phones.


This new report examines current and planned usage of fingerprint sensors in smartphones and tablets and forecasts implementations to 2019. The report coverage includes the market breakdown by touch and swipe sensors, and sales volumes and revenues by region: North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.


The global market for fingerprint sensors in mobile devices is expected to become a multi-billion dollar market by 2019. While North America has been the key driver of fingerprint sensor adoption during the early years, adoption in the APAC region is expected to take the lead in 2015. Globally, the inclusion of fingerprint sensors in smartphones is reaching a critical mass driving it to become a mainstream smartphone feature in many markets. Research Capsule forecasts that 50% of smartphones sold in 2019 will have a fingerprint sensor.


Research Capsule believes that mobile payment will continue to be the primary driver for fingerprint sensors with the number of use cases expanding during the coming years. The volumes will be significant and though there are currently only a limited number of component vendors supplying the sensors, the flurry of activity is attracting both startups and established telecomm players to cater to this hot market.


Qualcomm’s recent introduction of its Snapdragon Sense ID ultrasonic-based fingerprint sensor could be a substantial disruptor to current component suppliers. The company’s wide industry footprint and relationship with most major smartphone vendors could propel it to a leadership position just as the market is reaching mainstream. Qualcomm’s entry into the fingerprint market was expected after it acquired Ultra-Scan several years back, but the demonstrations recently given at Mobile World Congress were impressive and shipments could happen sooner than expected. Other key competitors discussed in the report include AuthenTec, CrucialTec, Fingerprint Cards, IDEX, Next Biometrics Group, Validity Sensors, and Vkansee Technology.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report: “Fingerprint Sensors in Smart Mobile Devices“.



Global Market for Fingerprint Sensors in Mobile Devices

Crystal Oscillator Market Worth $3.2 Billion By 2020

According to a new market research report “Crystal Oscillator Market – Global Forecast to 2020”, the total Crystal Oscillator Market is expected to reach nearly $3.2 Billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 5% from 2014 to 2020. Crystal Oscillator Market is expected to experience healthy growth in some major applications such as telecom & networking and consumer electronics due to the evolution in the smart phones and tablet market and deployment of the advanced wireless technologies such as 3G, 4G, and LTE.


crystal oscillator market report

Global Crystal Oscillator Market Value ($Million) &Unit Shipment (Million Units)


The automotive segment is also expected to show a healthy growth due to the increase in the sale of luxury cars and SUVs. These vehicles make use of high-end electronic systems and safety equipment like tyres pressure monitoring system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), which has significantly increased the demand for oscillators. However consumer electronics segment is expected to have highest growth rate among other applications due to the massive growth in demand for smartphones and tablets across the globe. The report provides a detailed segmentation by general circuitry, technology, mounting scheme, geography, and application. The market based on general circuitry is segmented into SPXO, TCXO, VCXO, FCXO, OCXO, and Others. The market based on technology is segmented into AT, BT, SC Cut and Others.


The report also covers major applications of crystal oscillator such as telecom and networking, consumer electronics, military and aerospace, research and measurement, industrial, automotive and medical equipment.


One of the objectives of the report was to analyze market trends for each of the Crystal Oscillator Market segments and their respective growth rates. Apart from market segmentation the report also covers an in-depth analysis such as Porter’s five force analysis, supply chain with a detailed process flow diagram, and market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the Crystal Oscillator Market.


The market size for crystal oscillator is included in the report in five geographic splits, namely- North America, Europe, APAC, Japan, and Rest of the World (RoW). APAC is estimated to account for a major share in the Crystal Oscillator Market, which is expected to be followed by North America and Europe. Some of the major players are Daishinku Corp. , Kyocera Corporation , Mercury Electronic Ind. Co., Ltd. (Taiwan),Miyazaki Epson Corporation , Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd. (NDK) , Rakon Limited (New Zealand), River Eletec Corporation , Siward Crystal Technology Co. Ltd (Taiwan), TXC Corporation (Taiwan), and Vectron International (U.S.).


 Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: “Crystal Oscillator Market – Global Forecast to 2020“.


 



Crystal Oscillator Market Worth $3.2 Billion By 2020

Friday, September 11, 2015

DSL and G.fast Chips Markets To Reach $4.7 Billion By 2020

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “DSL and G.fast Chips: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2014 to 2020”. The 2014 study has 319 pages, 109 tables and figures. Worldwide DSL and G.fast Chips markets are increasingly diversified, poised to achieve significant growth as broadband is used in every industry segment.


End to end broadband networks leverage a combination of optical infrastructure in the long haul and copper infrastructure in the last few meters from the distribution box to the home. Fiber has had rapid advance but does not work in the end, it is too expensive to the home. FTTH is too expensive and DSL continues to be a viable alternative, with DSL set to be replaced at the high end initially by G.fast. Copper based broadband technologies promise to last for a long long time. Though for many years FTTH has threatened to make xDSL obsolete, this has not proven to be the case.


Copper represents an installed infrastructure worth trillions and too expensive to just replace. Fiber is too expensive to use it to replace all the copper. FTTH DSL and G.fast, the copper works in many cases and does not need to be repplaced. xDSL markets will be strong for some long time to come as copper remains a transport line.


Copper is everywhere in the telecommunications network. It is still the primary wireless backbone transport means, meaning it continues to be vital as new wireless systems continue to expand their markets. It predominates in the local loop, creating demand for systems that are able to support high speed signal transport over copper wire.


Copper based broadband is and will remain for the foreseeable future, the dominant broadband access technology across the globe. Broadband service providers who rely on copper loops for broadband access have to improve broadband performance and extend its life.


Choices between DSL technologies and G.fast are based on cost. Fiber technologies are used to come to the curb. DSL and G.fast represent a hybrid rooted in a network planning.


Copper based broadband continues to be the dominant broadband access technology across the globe. Broadband service providers who rely on copper loops for broadband access have options to improve broadband performance and extend their life. Despite its throughput limitations, considerable research and development is taking place to improve DSL performance.


Cable boasts faster speed than DSL Internet i. However, cable does not always deliver on the promise in everyday practical use. Cable technology supports 30 Mbps of bandwidth, whereas most forms of DSL cannot reach 10 Mbps.


One type of DSL technology, VDSL, can match cable’s performance, also supporting 30 Mbps. However, Internet service providers generally do not offer VDSL, but rather the cheaper and slower ADSL or SDSL services. Cable modem services can slow down significantly if many people in your neighborhood access the Internet simultaneously.


The opportunity to participate in DSL and G.fast Chips markets is compelling illustration of the ability to leverage seemingly outdated copper infrastructure to breathe new life into existing investment. This market is evolving as new technology and vectoring are implemented, based on breakthroughs and innovation. Technology platforms are rapidly evolving.


Consideration of DSL and G.fast chips market forecasts indicates that markets at $939 million will reach $4.7 billion by 2020. Growth comes as every industry achieves leveraging broadband to make social media and smart phones work to grow the business. DSL and G.fast are able to make the benefits of broadband available to consumers and support network flexibility for the modern enterprise. DSL and G.fast networks are flexible and able to reach customers on the go. Broadband is used for video and entertainment delivery.


DSL and G.fast Chips Markets

DSL and G.fast Chips Markets


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: “DSL and G-fast Chips: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2014 to 2020“.


 


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DSL and G.fast Chips Markets To Reach $4.7 Billion By 2020

Global Semiconductor Industry is Headed for a Monumental Transformation to Usher in IoT Revolution

The upcoming IoT Revolution hopes to connect 50 billion devices by end of 2020. The IoT Revolution aims at transforming Retail Sales industry, Aerospace and Defense IndustryWholesale Distribution industry, Utilities industry, Oil and Gas Industry, Mining and Metal Industry, Industrial Machinery and Component manufacturing, Chemical Industry, Automotive Industry, etc.


Every aspect of IoT seems to be revolutionary. There is also a good chance of IoT Revolution to improve the quality of life for entire human society. While the technology has an important role to play in creating ample job opportunities in global economy, if care not taken by policy makers, IoT market growth would be restricted.


Internet of Things has an  important role to play in the progress of today’s knowledge based economy. If the global economy cannot transition to a sustainable economy, IoT Revolution cannot become a reality. Additionally, IoT Revolution should not only come through increase in consumer purchasing power that gives increased consumer demand for goods but it should also ensure that the higher purchasing power comes through hard work and not by means of providing any dole-outs.


The IoT Revolution is very much feasible for every economy in this world as long as the playing field is leveled and the competition between them is fair. A true free market economy is essential for bringing about this next big thing. These free markets should be beneficial for not only producers but also consumer of goods. Sustainable manufacturing is essential in order to transition to next generation ecological fab. IoT Revolution also has the capacity to bring the environmental pollution under control by means of ushering a balanced economy which results in neither overproduction of goods nor underutilization of available resources.


For IoT Revolution to happen, wide range of macroeconomic principles have to be applied to existing industrial policies that helps transition the top-down hierarchical corporate culture to a more flatter organization having less rigid hierarchy. Such an organization with decentralized power and authority has a capability to increase collaboration amongst its employees through a consensus in decision making process as well as boost the efficiency of organization in order to be able to contribute towards a strong local economic development. While ensuring a success of IoT Revolution, care needs to be taken that the trade policies do not encourage counterfeiting of electronics. Majority of IoT applications will be human centric and hence counterfeits have to be not only minimized but completely eliminated from supply chain to avoid life-threatening situations from the use of IoT products.


Both producers and consumers have to prosper for a robust growth of IoT sector. The worker productivity is the main source of supply while wages are the main source of demand. If productivity rises faster than wages, then supply rises faster than demand. This results in overproduction and forces the manufacturer to fire workers. Producers are the suppliers of goods, and consumers generate the demand for these goods. Consumer demand, being dependent on wages, is sustainable only if the consumers as workers earn higher salaries. If the wages of consumers do not catch up with increased supply of goods, the supplier of goods is unable to sell all that he/she has manufactured. Hence, the monetary policy of any country needs to ensure that wages catch up with productivity. By ensuring wages catch up with productivity; it is very feasible to create plenty of jobs in economy and maintain the incentives to work hard. In this way, there is no need of excessive government spending and hence deficits, which would also reduce the direct and indirect taxes on citizens. A lower income tax on citizens would also further boost citizens’ consumer purchasing power in economy.


A sustainable economy should not only create more manufacturing jobs but also creates a number of service sector jobs catering to these manufacturing facilities.  The virtual offshoring of most facilities from the United States in order to increase corporate profits, has produced the progressive diminishing of the employment base to most Americans in both intellectual and economic terms.  The increasing Mergers and Acquisitions happening in semiconductor industry are not going to help but hurt this industry. Indeed, the lack of liquidity in the last seven years has not helped this situation either and hence the ownership of companies catering to the IoT market should be with the employees of those companies, as being the arbiters of their chosen investment locales and facets.


While ushering the IoT Revolution, businesses can play an important role in eliminating global poverty and unemployment through a productive use of technology. An unproductive use of any technology makes the progress of that technology unsustainable and hence ‘Sustaining Moore’s Law’ advocates a productive use of technology to eliminate the present uncertainty of ushering an IoT revolution due to a global macroeconomic crisis. It would help sustain the progress of Moore’s law and will bring an end to wage stagnation, and hence, the living standard will start to rise for all.


As is common knowledge, all indications are that the Western economy is in for a very rough ride, in particular because the Western individualized world has sacrificed so much of its social, cultural, and industrial base to external interests, and in the process has outsourced large chunks of its technical skills and know-how to foreign agencies and lands. Life on other continents on the other hand seems to have retained more of a traditional structure. Therefore it seems probable that a sinking global economy and the eventual collapse of crony capitalism, as we know it, would harm the First and Second Worlds infinitely more than the Third. However,  ‘Sustaining Moore’s Law’ presents a blueprint to usher in the next big thing of IoT Revolution for not only developed economies but also for developing economies like India.


The semiconductor industry in United States has been on the downhill along with many others. It is well known that manufacturing is fast becoming an endangered species in the United States, employing less than 10 percent of the labor force now. Semiconductors have been hit especially hard by low-wage competition from China and some other Asian nations. Dallas/Maxim just announced they are closing their production facilities in Dallas and the Failure Analysis lab along with it. Many of my ex-colleagues that were layed off from Kilby/Process Development a year ago have not found a job yet. Qualcomm is laying off 15% of its workforce and the Broadcom/Avago merger is going to create a wave of restructuring layoffs too. Hence, the Uncertainty of ushering about an IoT Revolution seems insurmountable to the industry at large.


Internet of Things


A Management Crisis in High Tech Industry


Since the 1960s the semiconductor industry has been a driver of global economic growth and social change. Each country involved wants a large, viable semiconductor industry that provides high paying jobs. The ongoing technical and managerial crises needs a detail analysis to examine the industry from a macroeconomic perspective, helping readers understand how global competitive advantage can be won or lost unless good macroeconomic policies are implemented. This study is very relevant in today’s world and the highly dynamic semiconductor industry, since things move so fast in this digital age. Though a US-centric book, it will be very useful for the developing world as well. There is also a chapter dedicated to semiconductor manufacturing in developing economies like India.


Global Semiconductor Industry Is Headed For A Monumental Transformation To Usher In Iot RevolutionThis is the first book for which world renowned Professor of Economics and author of six international best sellers, Professor Ravi Batra, has written the Foreword. Professor Batra considers the solutions presented in this book to be both monumental as well as practical to implement. In 1978, To the laughter of many and derision of a few, Professor Ravi Batra authored a book “The Downfall of Capitalism and Communism: A New Study of History“. While his forecasts about collapse of communism earned him a gold medal of honor from Prime minister of Italy, he thinks that unless US Capitalism reforms towards a free market economy, US Capitalism is going to meet the fate of Soviet Communism due to huge concentration of wealth in the economy.


It is another interesting book as it not only focuses on technological growth but also offers solutions to make that growth sustainable by a sustainable macroeconomic growth. The book is published by Morgan and Claypool Publishers and will be available as an e-book as early as end of August 2015.


By Apek Mulay.



Global Semiconductor Industry is Headed for a Monumental Transformation to Usher in IoT Revolution